My art is an important part of my life. My work deals with socio-political matters, with cultural and identity as subjects. My recent work also deals with nostalgia and memory. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Iranian-British artist Reza Aramesh is an amazing sculptor and photographer. I can't take my eyes off his Action 63 picture which I have in my house. Courtesy Reza Aramesh

Beats, state-of-the-art headphones, are one product I couldn't live without. Courtesy Nadine Kanso

N.Bar is the place I always do my nails. The girls there are fantastic! Courtesy The Grooming Company

I love Jean Paul Gaultier Classic. Whether it's winter or summer, the scent is absolutely warm. Courtesy Jean Paul Gaultier

If I didn't live where I do now, the city I would live is Barcelona. Great cuisine, interesting cultural city, beach and nightlife. Getty Images / Gallo Images

At the moment I'm always wearing my Bil Arabi toul Peace ring with black diamonds and rose gold. Courtesy Nadine Kanso

The Sixties are my favourite era of fashion. Designers like André Courrèges, Pierre Cardin, YSL combined art with fashion. AP Photo

Tom Ford is one of my favourite stylish celebrities. Not only is he an amazing designer but is also chic! AFP Photo

Tabbouleh is one of my favourite dishes. It is something we always have ready at home as I love the citrus taste. iStockphoto.com

I never leave home without my camera and I always have it with me. Photography captures specific moments in time and holds it still for us to enjoy, remember and keep. Courtesy Nadine Kanso

The last thing I bought and loved was my BlackBerry PlayBook; it's so practical. Bloomberg

Italy is my latest discovery as I recently spent a couple of weeks alone with my husband in Capri. Sheer bliss. iStockphoto.com

The last item I added to my wardrobe is my boots my friend Tania picked for me on a rainy summer day in London. Courtesy Nadine Kanso

Alexander Wang is so contemporary and chic. AFP Photo

I'm currently reading Beirut Spy by Said K Aburish. It's an interesting book about the political events that took place in the Middle East, specifically at the bar of the famous St Georges Hotel. Antonie Robertson / The National

Style File: Nadine Kanso

Jemma Nicholls

Nadine Kanso has a passion for all things creative. Designer, photographer and journalist, she was born in Beirut, Lebanon where she gained degrees in communication arts and advertising design. Proud of her Arab heritage, Kanso began looking for ways to express what it means to be an Arab in today's world and to try and capture the modern Arab identity.Her work has been exhibited locally within the GCC and also internationally; in 2006 her photographs were part of an exhibition entitled "Arabize Me" at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. She has since had various collections auctioned at Phillips de Pury & Company in London, Christie's in 2010 and Bonham's Dubai sale in 2009 and 2011.

Stepping out from behind the camera, she has since turned her hand to jewellery design. "Jewellery (like photography) is a way to reveal your character and style. Both mediums for me as an artist are strong means of expressing my ideas about issues I personally think need to be tackled and remembered," says Kanso. Using 18-carat gold and the Arabic alphabet as inspiration, her "Bil Arabi" series (which translates to "In Arabic"), is a collection of rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets that draw on the beauty and calligraphic shape of the Arabic alphabet but with a glamorous modern twist. A huge hit at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival, Kanso's collection has been seen adorning the necks, ears and hands of celebrities such as Julianne Moore, Zaha Hadid, Evan Rachel Wood and Aimee Mullins. She talks to Jemma Nicholls about her life and inspirations.

NADINE'S WORLD

MY PERSONAL STYLE SIGNIFIER IS… East meets West. I have an edgy look with an Arabian touch. BEING STYLISH MEANS… having your own character and identity, being original. FIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME ARE… passionate creative friendly, bold eccentric. MY FAVOURITE WAY TO RELAX IS… sitting in my studio doing fun collages and listening to music. THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN IS… to try and always be modest. MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IS… raising my children as good people. THE GUILTIEST PLEASURE I WOULD NEVER FORGO IS… carbs! I eat them without guilt. I adore pasta in all its forms and I love a fresh French baguette.